TEHRAN: NISCO managing director estimated that Iran will 18 and 6 million tons of steel will be produces and exported in the present Iranian calendar year (to end March 21). Managing Director of the National Iranian Steel Company (NISCO) Abdolmajid Sharifi said volume of Iran’s steel output has exceeded that of Middle Eastern countries in recent years adding “from 2011 to 2015, the country’s steel production has enjoyed an upward trend and production of at least 15 million tons of the product has been envisaged in the National Development Plan.” “For the first time ever, Iran’s steel exports have outshined its imports in the current year and more value added will be gained by inhibition of raw sales and conversion of iron ore to steel,” he continued.
Sharifi stressed that implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) brought about closer connections with world countries and foreign firms; “presently, production capacity exists for production of 28.8 million tons of steel, 3.7 million tons of pig iron, 24 million tons of sponge iron, 32 million tons of iron ore pellets and 33 million tons of concentrates,” he underlined. on developmental plans on the Iranian steel industry, the official said the country ‘s steep production capacity is scheduled to reach 55 million tons by 2025, a goal which requires 26 million tons of uplift in the current figure.
NISCO referred to the significance of finding proper locations for new steel projects; “as of now, steel projects need to be carried out either in Khalij Fars (Persian Gulf) mining and metal industries zone or Chabahar free trade zone due to their proximity to the sea.” Abdolmajid Sharifi encouraged domestic and foreign companies to make investments in Iran’s steel industry by launching negotiations with Iranian Mines & Mining Industries Development & Renovation (IMIDRO) or National Iranian Steel Company (NISCO).
